Statements/International Updates

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM HARVEY MILK FOUNDATION ON THE OCCASION OF BUDAPEST 2011

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As Hungary’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community comes together in Budapest to celebrate both the progress on and the critical value of human rights, the Harvey Milk Foundation and our friends in leadership of the United States, commemorate those who have fought for equality and justice and we commit ourselves to a new outlook on universal human rights for all.

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As US President Obama said in his 2011 LGBT Pride Proclamation, “my Administration has mobilized unprecedented public commitments from countries around the world to join us in the fight against hate and homophobia.”President Obama made it clear when he said, “We recognize that LGBT rights are human rights, my Administration stands with advocates of equality around the world.”

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It is important for the entire LGBT global community to know that they are not alone in the struggles for both legal and societal equality. The challenge of equality is a global struggle, as homophobia does not stop at national borders, hate does not stop at continental divides, and discrimination is not stopped by oceans. This vital and important human rights work can only achieve success when we work together in collaboration and pull each other up to the summit of full respect and dignity for all LGBT people. Last month, US Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said , “Harvey Milk changed the course of history; now, we will together create a future in which the LGBT Community and every individual achieves true equality.”

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The Harvey Milk Foundation is honored to be participating in Budapest Pride and encourages the engagement and participation in this important international event that invites all those working on LGBT inclusion and equality to come together and create a new paradigm that ends separation, connects our communities, and enables us all to reach our full individual and collective potential.